Callum Smith is an option for Canelo next

Callum Smith discussed as a potential next fight for Canelo

Callum Smith (25-0, 18KOs) would welcome a challenge from Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (52-1-2, 35KOs) for a UK fight and Anfield would be the ideal venue, says the WBA champion's manager and trainer Joe Gallagher.

The unbeaten Liverpudlian, who holds the WBA 'Super' belt at super-middleweight, was named as a potential opponent for Alvarez, who unified three world middleweight titles - WBC, WBA 'Super', IBF - with a points win over Daniel Jacobs in Las Vegas on May 4. Odds have placed the potential fight as Canelo at 4/7 to win, with Callum Smith currently at 11/8.

"It was interesting that they put Callum Smith's name into the hat," Joe Gallagher said. "I was surprised that they wanted to.

"I know they want to make history and they dipped their toes in at 168 before when they fought Rocky Fielding. They must be fancying moving up again, but that's music to our ears. We'd welcome 'Canelo' Alvarez moving up and fighting Callum Smith.

"They are saying they are willing to come to the UK. I know they are saying Wembley, but I would love to see that at Anfield.

"Anfield would be absolutely packed to the rafters for that and I just think it ticks all the boxes. We would welcome 'Canelo' Alvarez, if he wants to come over to the UK and fight. Yes, Callum Smith is the man to accommodate him.

"As you have seen yesterday, when I heard, I put out on social media to Robert Diaz and also Eric Gomez. Both of them have my number and if they're serious about it, then pick up the phone and give me a call."

'Canelo' moved up in weight for a third-round stoppage of Rocky Fielding to claim the WBA 'Regular' belt in December and Golden Boy Promotions have suggested another 168lbs outing against unbeaten Smith.

However, DAZN Group executive chairman John Skipper wants a third Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34KOs) fight for September to complete their thrilling trilogy.

If Alvarez-Golovkin III doesn't materialise next then Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn would welcome an Saul Alvarez-Callum Smith fight for 'Mundo's' WBA 'Super' super-middleweight belt, who defends the crown along with his WBC Diamond title in a few weeks time on June 1 at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr. His opponent for his 26th professional contest hasn't yet been named.

“We’d love to make the David Benavidez fight with Callum Smith,” Hearn said. “I think that’s a great, great fight. We’d love to make Canelo with Callum Smith. You know, that’s an opportunity for Canelo to move up and win The Ring magazine championship at 168 pounds, as well as the 160lbs that he holds. So, I think Callum’s in a good position. You’re gonna see him on June the 1st, at Madison Square Garden. We’re gonna announce that next week.”

Oscar De La Hoya and his promotional company’s president, Eric Gomez, also both expressed interest in Alvarez facing Smith during the post-fight presser. Gomez mentioned the possibility of the 28-year-old Alvarez taking a transatlantic trip to England to meet Smith in his home country, with stadiums such as Anfield and Wembley already mentioned.

A third fight against Golovkin is the more marketable bout for Alvarez and DAZN, however, and one that the fight fans are also calling for. Golovkin, who’ll box Canadian underdog Steve Rolls (19-0, 10 KOs) next on June 8 at Madison Square Garden, was sat ringside Saturday night to watch the Alvarez-Jacobs bout.

Alvarez-Golovkin III is an intriguing grudge match because Mexico’s Alvarez scored a controversial majority-decision victory over Kazakhstan’s Golovkin in their rematch September 15 at T-Mobile Arena.

Challenging the 6ft 3" Smith, who is colossal for a super-mid, would afford Alvarez an opportunity to become recognised as a legitimate three-division champion.

The new IBF, WBA, WBC middleweight titlist stopped England’s Rocky Fielding in the third round on December 15 to win the WBA 'Regular' world 168-pound championship, which is seen as a secondary WBA title.

Smith owns the WBA’s true super-middleweight bauble and won the World Boxing Super Series’ 168-pound tournament last year. The 29-year-old Smith also scored a first-round, technical-knockout victory over Fielding over three years ago in Liverpool.

Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez added that Canelo has told him personally that he wants to face Callum Smith at 168, and further expanding that he would love a Canelo vs. Smith fight to take place at Wembley Stadium in London.

All parties are in agreement, but it will come down to the television rights and the typical boxing politics to determine whether the attractive all-action affair will actually occur.